Wheel-tire.



Patented Oct. l7, I899.

T. m xmmm & .1. PRINGLE.

WHEEL TIRE.

(Application filed Apr. 19, 1898.)

(No Model.)

Uwrrnn STATES ATENT FFICEQ THOMAS MCKINNON AND JAMES PRINGLE, OFGLASGOW, SCOTLAND; SAID PRINGLE ASSIGITOR TO SAID MOKINNON.

WHEEL-TIRE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 634,954, dated October17, 1899. Application filed April 19, 1898. Serial No. 678,139. (Nomodel.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, THOMAS MoKINNoN, chemical and produce broker, of 2Oswald street, and JAMES PRINGLE, practical engi- 5 neer, of 12a Stanleystreet, Kinning Park, Glasgow, Scotland, have invented new and usefulImprovements in Wheel-Tires, (for which application for patentin GreatBritain, No. 21,615, dated September 21, 1897, has been made,) of whichthe following is a specification. This invention has for its object toprovide a wheel-tire suitable alike for light wheels, such as thosefitted in cycles, and for the heavier class of wheels used for carriagesor other road-vehicles, the said tire being of the pneumatic orresilient type, but not being subject to the risks involved by punctureof the usual pneumatic tire. The resilient or cushioning 2o effect isobtained by interposing between the felly or rim of the wheel and thetreadingsurface a series of hollow rubber balls held in place by meansof small hemispherical cavities or cups secured to the outer tread-ring,the arrangement being such that the load on the wheel is distributedover a number of the air-balls.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is an elevation of part of thecomposite tire and felly of a wheel as constructed in accordance withour invention, and Fig. 2 is a cross-section thereof. Figs. 3 and 4c aresimilar views showing a slightly-modified construction.

As represented at Figs. 1 and 2, a metallic or other strap or rim A issecured around the ordinary wooden or other felly B, and on this strapare fitted a series of small hemispherical cups 0, each by preferenceadjustably secured in the strap or rim by means of a screw-threaded stem0. Into these cups hollow rubber balls D, filled with air, are fittedand are tightly held therein by means of inverted hemispherical cups 0,secured by rivets or otherwise to the inner face of a metallic ring E,preferably flanged, on which is fitted a treading-surface E, of iron orof rubber, wood, or other material. By means of the screw-threaded stemsthe cups C and C may be brought more or less closely together to presson the balls, and thus the felly and outer rim or tread of the wheel arefirmly held to gether and the degree of resilience regulated, whilelateral play of the tread is avoided.

It will be seen that in thepresent construction each ball is held in ahemispherical cavity or cup on its inner side and in a hemisphericalcavity or cup on its outerside, the two cavities or cups embracing andholding the ball firmly all around, excepting a small central por tionwhich is necessary to allow for the yielding of the balls under theweight of the vehicle. The ball being thus embraced and lateralexpansion prevented, inflation of the ball is unnecessary. Each ballalso forms an elastic connection between the inner rim of the 6 5 spokesand the outer tread-ring, so that While the latter yields under pressurewith the balls it cannot creep or move circumferentially around theballs. Great strength is imparted to the wheel owing to the balls beingcaught spherically on both sides, and the weight on the wheel isdistributed over a large portion of the circumference,

In the modification represented at Figs. 3 v and 4 the separate innercups Gare dispensed With and in lieu thereof the strap A is formed witha series of cavities a, whereinto the balls D are fitted.

In the lighter class of wheels, such as those used in cycles, the usualmetallic rim may replace the wooden felly B shown and may be formed orfitted with cavities for the balls, while the outer tread E is alsolightened.

Having now described the invention, what we claim, and desire to secureby Letters Pat 8 5 out, is-

1. In a wheel-tire, the combination with the felly or rim provided witha series of hemispherical cavities or cups and an outer tread-ringprovided with a corresponding series of cavities or cups, of a series ofhollow rubber balls arranged within and between said hemisphericalcavities or cups, substantially as set forth.

2. In a wheeltire, the combination with 5 the folly or rim and a flangedouter treadring, the said felly or rim and the tread-ring each providedwith a series of hemispherical cavities or cups, of a series of hollowrubber balls arranged within and between said hemi- Ioo sphericalcavities or cups, substantiallyas set forth.

a series of cups attached to the outer treadring, a second series ofcups provided with screw-threaded stems whereby they are attachedadjustably to the felly or rim, and hollow rubber balls arranged withinand between the two series of cups, substantially as set forth.

In witness whereof We have hereunto set our hands in presence of twowitnesses.

THOMAS MOKINNON. JAMES PRINGLE.

WVitnesses:

WALLACE FAIRWEATHER, J NO. ARMSTRONG, J unr.

